Pharmacy regulation changes

Changes to the supply and supervision contracts in pharmacy regulation transform pharmacy to a prevention-led system, offering a continuum of healthcare goods and services to meet the needs of the local population. The incentives in the new contract move away from supply-led service provision, towards improving public health, increasing medicines optimisation and reducing the side effects of drugs. The removal of the 100 hour exemption also encourages investment in pharmacy services and enables new pharmacies to deliver innovative practice and improved health outcomes to local communities.

Proposed workforce impact

• If supervision can be provided remotely or allocated to another member of the workforce, this will reduce the demand for pharmacists in traditional roles. This could increase the demand for pharmacy technicians.
• Increase in demand for community pharmacists in alternative roles.

Sources or references

• http://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/news-content/-/article_display_list/14312819/100-hour-exemption-scrapped

Additional research questions

• Are there other likely regulation changes in the pipeline? And how will these affect the demand and supply of pharmacists? 

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.